Cold again today, north wind, brighter now after a soggy morning.  A tough and perhaps fortuitous win from Ballyfort at Kelso yesterday, battling back after being headed on the run in – delighted as he isn’t straightforward, hopefully more to come.  My Lady Elektra made a very satisfactory start to her chasing career, finishing 4th only beaten two and a half lengths by the winner despite nearly coming to grief at the 2nd last having jumped “the shadow” as well as the fence.  Lester Mail had a tough intro to hurdling in a large field, plenty of pace on and being unsighted by the sun at the second hurdle, Anamanda was a little disappointing, not really relishing the long battle up the hill.

Ballyfort (right) on his way to a very special win.

An excrutiating decision to withdraw Elvis Mail after walking the course, he had a nasty injury at Doncaster and I swore I wouldn’t chance him on ground that wasn’t at least good to soft so when finding the gorund to be good I had to quell my competitive instincts and stick by my word.  Painful to say the least as this race had been the plan since February if we could have him ready in time, I spent much of the last few months thinking we would need a bit more time but everything went so perfectly for him that I was sure he was ready – 565kg to 503kg in 4 months for the poor chap.  Anyway, it wasn’t to be so we regroup and try to find the right race, not much around for a horse at his level so maybe the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle or the Veterans Chase at Haydock in the first week of December.  Fingers crossed we can keep him in the same fettle.

Another time Elvis

Kelso yesterday had the most wonderful atmosphere, a huge and passionate crowd sharing a genuine interest in the racing and in full voice for the close finishes.  A cold day but heart warming in so many ways, an excellent antidote to the woes of the world and a manifestation of the joys that racing brings to communities – be careful Rachel!  One entry at Wetherby on Friday then hopefully busy days at Ayr and Carlisle next weekend, lots of horses raring to go and I think the same can be said for the trainer!

Serious business…

Cold wind today, showery, and we will be hoping for some rain at Kelso for our five  runners tomorrow.  Spirits are high after a 125-1 winner at Perth on Tuesday in the form of Just an Artist, a lovely surprise!  We have always thought she was a nice filly but didn’t really expect her to be able to do this as a 4yo, reversing the form nicely with the first two from her debut bumper at Musselburgh – there should be plenty more to come from her.  Our other three runners all ran well finishing 4th, particularly promising debut from The G Wizard and handicap debut from Platin Moon.

Just an Artist (Bruce)

And so to Kelso tomorrow where our first runner is Lester Mail who is making his hurdling debut in the 1.35 having won a bumper at the track in April.  He schools well and should enjoy the track/trip/ground but as ever the priority will be a clear round and ensuring he enjoys the hurdling experience in what looks a pretty strong maiden – Bruce rides and the field is the maximum 14.

Lester Mail – has his big brother running later on the card

My Lady Elektra makes her chasing debut in the 2.10; she has plenty of hurdling experience, has done a lot of schooling and has run her best hurdle races at the track.  However, again the main priority will be a clear round and trying to ensure she enjoys chasing – Bruce rides and 9 run.

My Lady Elektra

Ballyfort reverts to chasing in the 2.45 having had a false start in this sphere last season.  Despite his iffy form over fences he is actually a good jumper and if he can get into a rhythm over the larger obstacles he could play a part as he looks nicely handicapped over the larger obstacles however it has to be said he ran averagely at this fixture last season.  Seems better this time round – Bruce rides and 9 run.

Ballyfort – new colours tomorrow

Elvis Mail has won the last two runnings of the feature Edinburgh Gin Chase and goes for the hat trick tomorrow having been sidelined since he gave himself a nasty injury at Doncaster in December.  He’s had a great preparation, has a good record first time out and seems on very good terms with himself but a career best will be required and is that realistic at the age of 11?  Not impossible but a huge ask in the circumstances, rain would certainly help – Bruce rides and 9 run.

Elvis Mail

Finally we run Anamanda in the conditional jockeys training hurdle at 5.05; she was narrowly beaten over course and distance in April and should have come on for her run last month at Perth.  This represents a step up in class but she ought to run very well with the added benefit of Dom’s 8lb claim – 9 run.

Anamanda

Can’t beat Kelso on a Saturday at this time of year in my book and brilliant to be going there with a lovely bunch of runners; this fixture always kicks off the season proper for us and am sure will have a wonderful atmosphere.  Come along if you can. Home safe please all horses and riders, I might be a little tense until they are.  Elvis Mail is having his 14th race at the track with the first one having been in 2018 under a certain Lucy Alexander; special to also have his only full brother, Lester Mail running on the card, seven years younger than him.  This sort of continuity is one of the many things I love about jump racing.

Happy days – Just an Artist also won a GBB Bonus – worth £20k, a very just reward for Ownere/Breeder Liz Fletcher

Misty and autumnal today after a wet night and the ground at Perth has eased for tomorrow’s fixture.   The first October fixture at the track for many decades and probably the last as it has been dropped for 2026, a shame as it has attracted 72 runners for a competitive 8 race card including 6 from Kinneston.

We start off with Just an Artist in a decent looking mares maiden hurdle at 1.15, she wasn’t really ready for her debut over hurdles at Hexham in April so ought to improve but she is going to need the experience and I suspect will be better over further in due course. 9 run and Bruce rides.

Just an Artist

The G Wizard makes his yard and rules debut in the 1.50, a competitive looking maiden hurdle with plenty of promising types.  He is certainly one of those and shows plenty of ability having been runner up in his point to point in May. The focus tomorrow will be on finding out more about the horse, seeing how he likes to race and ensuring he enjoys the experience. 9 run and Bruce rides.

The G Wizard

Platin Moon makes his handicap debut in the 2.25.  Top weight but we have plenty of faith that he can operate at a higher level in due course.  He did run too free in his races last season and he could be like that at home, he seems much more relaxed this time round which may indicate he will need further in his races but very happy starting off over two miles and hopefully he can run well. 12 run and Bruce rides.

Platin Moon

A pause then before we run Everyday Champagne in the 3.35, well, we might run, he’s really a good ground horse and it probably needs to dry out a bit for him to line up.  He’d have a good chance if he does as has a 13lb pull with the favourite from when they met in September and he will be better back up at 3 miles. 8 run and Bruce rides.

Everyday Champagne

Burning it Up runs in the 4.40, he was 2nd over course and distance in April and found the drop back to 2 miles too sharp last time.  He is up in grade tomorrow and this is a better sort of race so not quite sure how he will fare but there is plenty of improvement to come from him at some stage, possibly at a more galloping track. 9 run and Bruce rides.

Burning It Up

Finally Artic Mann runs in the 5.15, he has run four good races at the track this summer and won’t mind softer conditions.  He really deserves to win again and ought to be involved.  11 run and Dom rides.

Artic Mann

Whilst I understand why Perth have dropped this fixture I do think it is a shame and wonder if they will be regretting it when they consider how well supported it has been relative to most jumps fixtures being staged at present (33 runners at Sedgefield yesterday compared with 72…) Perhaps they can reconsider again for 2027.

At Carlisle on Thursday Bel Amigo ran a marvellous race to finish a good second to a very well handicapped rival.  Bumped into one but he is proving a really good fun horse to train and race.